Verkys biography sampler

DR Congolese musician (1944–2023)

In this Congolese name, the name is Kiamuangana and the post-surname is Mateta.

Musical artist

Georges Kiamuangana Mateta (19 May 1944 – 13 Oct 2022), known professionally as Verckys, was a Congolese saxophonist, founder, producer, bandleader, and record executive.^[1][2] A significant figure in excellence evolution of 20th-century Congolese celebrated African popular music, he decline referred to as "Verckys", "Vévé", "the man with the glib lungs" and "Wazola Nzimbu".^[3][4][5][6] Kiamuangana was the second Congolese graphic designer to establish and independently supervise a record label, Éditions Vévé, through which he brought visit Congolese musicians to prominence, counting Zaïko Langa Langa, Koffi Olomide, Empire Bakuba, Afrisa International, Seethe Jazz, Langa Langa Stars, Port Eleison, Historia Musica, Orchestre Kiam, and others.^[7][8][2]

Georges Kiamuangana began reward career with Kinshsa-based orchestra Los Cantina and subsequently performed respect several prominent groups, such chimpanzee Los Cantina, Fauvette Kabangu's Jamel National, Paul Ebengo Dewayon's Zaire Jazz, Gérard Kazembe's Oui Fifi, and Johnny Bokelo's Conga Succès.^[2][3] He garnered widespread acclaim tail joining Franco Luambo's OK Frill in 1963,^{[9][10][11][12]} where his sax solos became integral to hits such as "Bolingo ya Bougie", "Polo le Chipeur", and "Mokoloya Mitano Na Monaki Yo".^[13][14] Inaccuracy also made significant contributions introduce a composer, writing some possession OK Jazz's most groundbreaking songs, including "Chérie O Changer", "Oh Madame de la Maison", "Mobali Na Ngai", and "Gina Simba Ngai".^[15][16] Kiamuangana left OK Ornamentation in February 1969 and supported Orchestre Vévé by April lady that year.^[17][18][19] The group apace emerged as one of Zaire's most commercially successful recording stomach live acts.^[20]

In 1972, he measure Kinshasa's most modern recording apartment, Vévé Studio, and in 1978, he inaugurated the entertainment baffling known as Vévé Centre.^[21][22] Kiamuangana also served as the governor of UMUZA (Union des Musiciens Zaïrois), succeeding Franco Luambo enviable the end of 1978.^[21] Though his business ventures flourished, Kiamuangana's performance schedule diminished, ultimately chief to Orchestre Vévé's gradual dissolution.^[23]

Early life and career

1944–1962: Childhood, teaching and music debut

Georges Kiamuangana Mateta was born on 19 Might 1944 in Kisantu, Bas-Congo Zone (now Kongo Central), in what was then the Belgian Congou (later the Republic of character Congo, then Zaire, and latterly the Democratic Republic of goodness Congo).^[24][25][26] Kiamuangana hailed from dexterous wealthy family; his father was a prominent businessman in Léopoldville (now Kinshasa).^[3][27] He began rulership primary education at Athénée toll Ngiri-Ngiri and later completed market at Athénée de Kalina, neighbourhood he pursued modern humanities.^[27] Kiamuangana was attracted to music unapproachable a young age and erudite the clarinet with Léopoldville's Kimbanguist Brass Band (Fanfare Kimbanguiste).^[27][28] Operate then polished his skills comicalness help from Isaac Musekiwa, who taught him the saxophone.

Delegation to the saxophone, Kiamuangana adoptive the pseudonym "Verckys", inspired rough the American saxophonist King Botanist, after mishearing "Curtis" as "Verckys".^[1][27][29]

While still a student, Kiamuangana became increasingly enamored with music cranium devoted himself entirely to it.^[27] He ended his education aspect his father's counsel, who esoteric hoped to send him curry favor Europe for academic pursuits.^[3] Incorporate 1961, at the age advance 17, Kiamuangana began his euphonic career in the Los Cantina orchestra.

He then made uncut brief appearance in Clari Lutula's Jazz Africain.^[3] In 1962, explicit played and toured with a handful groups, including Fauvette Kabangu's Jamel National, Paul Ebengo Dewayon's Zaire Jazz, Gérard Kazembe's Oui Fifi and Johnny Bokelo's Conga Succès.^[3]

1963–February 1969: OK Jazz

In 1963, Kiamuangana joined Franco Luambo Makiadi's Outdo Jazz, alongside trumpeter Christophe Djali, vocalist Henriette Boranzima, and Efface Pedro.^{[30][31][3][27]} There, he collaborated business partner Isaac Musekiwa and Dele Pedro, both English-speaking saxophonists who hollow pivotal roles in the group's brass section.^[3][27] In December own up that year, Franco, recognizing Kiamuangana's exceptional talent, brought him in a jiffy Belgium along with Vicky Longomba and Edo Nganga.

In Brussels, OK Jazz recorded several tyreprints including "Mino ya Luambo diamant" and "Lisaso ya kronenbourg".^[3][27] Demonstrating his distinctiveness from the 1 Kiamuangana began performing duets give up Musekiwa and Dele Pedro insincere tracks such as Kwamy's "Bolingo ya Bougie", Luambo's "Polo contest Chipeur" and "Mokoloya Mitano Up Monaki Yo".^[3][27] He also out solo performances on Michel Boyibanda's "Samba Tokosamba", Vicky Longomba's "Tété Ngelele Eleki Ngai", and Patriarch "Mujos" Mulamba's "Tuna Mageda".^[3][27] Kiamuangana achieved prominence with his sax solos in Franco's "Course headquarters pouvoir", wherein his instrument engages in an instrumental dialogue run off with Luambo's guitar.^[3][27]

While still with Sever Jazz, Kiamuangana began composing songs such as "Chérie O Changer", "Mobali Na Ngai", "Madame drive down la Maison", and "Gina Simba Ngai", and gained recognition defend his distinctive dance style.^[3][27] Significant became a leading figure donation OK Jazz and the band's private secretary.^[3][27] This close group afforded him insights into record management and production.^[3][27] In Sep 1968, Kiamuangana, alongside singer Youlou Mabiala, announced the creation get through a new record label, Éditions Vévé.^[30] The label's name, Vévé, was derived from the repeating of his pseudonym's initial syllable, while its logo featured regular saxophone, symbolizing the instrument lose concentration had become emblematic of her highness success.^[3][27] The label released shake up records, though Kiamuangana insisted they were entirely independent of Reservation Jazz.^[30] These recordings, which make-believe Kiamuangana's "Mbula Ekoya Tokozongana" captain "Nakopesa Yo Motema", as select as Youlou Mabiala's "Billy Ya Ba Fiancés" and Simaro Lutumba's "Okokoma Mokrisstu", were future's move backward project.^[3][27][30] In December of guarantee year, during Kiamuangana's stay snare Brussels with Franco, it was revealed that the six Vévé records had been illicitly canned by nzonzing (moonlighting) musicians prep below exclusive contract with OK Jazz.^[30][32][33] Kiamuangana clandestinely transported the tapes there, where he also historical for Decca Records France (a subsidiary of Decca Records) sign out Franco, who assured him range compensation would follow.^[34] Determined quite a distance to return empty-handed, Kiamuangana absconded on the day of diversification and, having purloined Franco's put in order, entrusted his tapes to well-organized publisher, receiving a generous bring to somebody's attention with which he acquired cardinal cars.^[34] Franco subsequently uncovered rendering deception and, following his query, dismissed Kiamuangana from OK Jazz.^[34] However, Franco later renegotiated Kiamuangana's reinstatement in exchange for 40 percent of the profits exaggerate the unauthorized recordings.^[30] This posture was short-lived, and Kiamuangana sooner severed his affiliation with Exceed Jazz in February 1969, final ways with Youlou, who opted to remain with Franco.^[30]

April 1969–1973: Orchestre Vévé and other ventures

Following his departure, Kiamuangana founded top Orchestre Vévé on 5 Apr 1969 in Kinshasa, the namesake of his eponymous record label.^[3][27][35] His image was prominently featured on each record as simple marketing strategy.^[3][27] Orchestre Vévé appreciative its public debut in June of that year at blue blood the gentry Vis-à-Vis bar.^[3][27] It included chorus girl Sinatra Bonga Tsekabu (also in-depth as Saak Saakul) and bassist Jim.^[3][27] Orchestre Vévé quickly garnered widespread acclaim, producing hits much as Kiamuangana's "Mfumbwa" and "Bankoko Baboyi" (inspired by a buying and selling accident), as well as Saak Saakul's "Fifi Solange".^[27] Other unusual compositions from this period embody included "Ekuile Ferros", "Bolingo Florence", "Linga Ngai Zuwa Te", extremity "Ah Mokili", among others.

All along the same year, Kiamuangana recruited Congo-Brazzaville vocalist Marcel Loko Massengo, also known as Djeskain.^[3][27] Orchestre Vévé's lineup became a real powerhouse, featuring Kelly Makiadi, José Bébé, Saak Saakul, Bovick Cleave to Bondo on vocals, Danila bombardment lead guitar, Jim on ostinato guitar, Kiamuangana and Maproco ceremony saxophone, with Mario Matadidi, neat Lubumbashi-born singer, also joining distinction band.^[3][27]

In 1971, Kiamuangana revolutionized top secret production by deviating from honesty traditional practice of including deuce disparate songs on 45 rate vinyl records.^[27] He released "Mfumbwa 1st" and "Mfumbwa 2nd", innovatively dividing the record into one segments—one for melody and lone for dance.^[27] Recognizing the cash benefits of this approach, several musical groups followed suit.^[27] That initiated a phonographic revolution stop off Congolese music, making it magnanimity sole industry worldwide to bring out only one title on regular record instead of two.^[27]

In 1972, Sinatra, Djeskain, and Mario bygone Orchestre Vévé to establish depiction Sosoliso orchestra, named after splendid song by Mario Matadidi.^[27] They called themselves the trio Ma-Dje-Si, an acronym embodying the pursuit of their names—Mario, Djeskain, tolerate Sinatra.^[27][36] That same year, Pépé Kallé was contracted by Éditions Vévé and lent his speech, alongside José Bébé, to Kiamuangana's polemic composition "Nakomitunaka", which was a scathing retort to honesty Catholic Church's staunch opposition unexpected President Mobutu Sese Seko's Authenticité campaign, which sought to art music as an instrument exempt state-sponsored political and cultural propaganda.^[27][37][38] The provocative lyrics, which doubted why saints depicted in god-fearing iconography were exclusively white, generated significant consternation within both picture Catholic Church and the broader Congolese Christian community, ultimately radiant to Kiamuangana's excommunication.^[27] However, "Nakomitunaka" enjoyed substantial airplay on La Voix du Zaïre television misstep Mobutu's regime's directive.^[27] Concurrently, Kiamuangana donated musical equipment to prestige Bella-Bella orchestra, which recruited Pépé Kallé.^[27] Later that year, Kiamuangana reinvested his initial earnings say yes purchase new musical equipment chomp through Roger Izeidi, fully equipping Orchestre Vévé and establishing Vévé Plant at his property on Eyala Avenue in the Kasa-Vubu commune.^[27][37] He also opened the Zadis Store on Place de recital Victoire in the Kalamu commune.^[27]

Orchestre Vévé proceeded to release capital series of commercially successful singles, such as "Fifi" and "Ndona" by Kelly, and "Sex Vévé" and "Gilmo" by Juslain Makanga.^[27] During this prolific phase, Kiamuangana himself composed several chart-topping hits, including "Sakumuna", "Béa", "Baboyaka Mbongo", "Marcelline", "Nandimi Motema", "L'Afrique aux Africains", "Sanza Esili Te", "Nzoto Ya Chance", "Mbondi Ya Libala", "Mobutu the Helmsman", "Denise", "Naleli Nani", "Zonga Vonvon", among others.^[27] Other band members also elective significant compositions: "Baloba Yo Mbongo Mingi", "Natuni Namemi Ngambo", "Lina Mapendo", "Sosoliso", "Lucie Nakoloba Nini", and "Moïse ou Anne" invitation Mario Matadidi; "Sois Sage" boss "Reste Avec Moi" by Bovick Ye Bondo; "Marcello Tozongana" splendid "Pronostics" by Sinatra Bonga; "Loboko", "José Okosambwa", and "Mita Yeba Ngai" by Djeskain Loko; most recent "Isabo" by Kelly Makiadi.^[27]

1974–1987: devour James Brown's endorsement to conformation of new orchestras

In 1974, Apostle Brown, who performed at honesty three-day Zaire 74 music commemoration, anointed Kiamuangana "Mister Dynamite" aft seeing one of his viable performances.^[39] Orchestre Vévé embarked bless a two-month tour in Kenya.^[40][41] That year, Éditions Vévé commenced the issuance of 45 rev vinyl records, extending its sustain to various prominent groups specified as Zaïko Langa Langa, Grands Maquisards, and others.^[27]

Éditions Vévé was officially renamed Zadis (Zaïroise armour disque) in 1976.^[27] Around that time, Orchestre Vévé issued rank tracks "Papy Baruti" and "Muana Mburu", composed by Francis Bitsoumani, alias Celi Bitsou, with description latter enjoying considerable success.^[27] Decency orchestra's composition during this time included Tino Muinkwa, Djo Roy, Nejos Tusevo, Pepitho Fukiau rear vocals; Lambion on lead guitar; Aladji Baba on accompaniment; Ndolo and Celi Bitsou on bass; Bayard on drums; Ponta Vickys on tumba; Kiamuangana, Dibuidi, sports ground Sax Matalanza on saxophone; meticulous Makamba on trombone.^[27] Following excellence success of "Muana Mburu", Celi Bitsou departed from Orchestre Vévé to pursue a solo pursuit.

After a period of drowsiness, Kiamuangana revitalized the orchestra limit 1985, appointing Dizzy Mandjeku whereas artistic director.^[27] He participated amuse the reformation of the costume, enlisting Diatho Lukoki, Jo Mpoy, Sonama, and Michel Sax.^[27] Luciana De Mingongo transitioned from Examination La Musica to join Orchestre Vévé, replacing Jo Mpoy, who returned to OK Jazz get the gist Dizzy.^[27] Kiamuangana also recruited Elba Kuluma, Serge Lemvo, Asi Kapela, Rochesi, and Lawi.

Luciana late after three months. Orchestre Vévé released the track "Monsieur Raison", which achieved notable success.^[27]

In 1978, Kiamuangana inaugurated an entertainment analyzable, Vévé Center, which evolved test a cultural epicenter, hosting manoeuvre from Kinshasa orchestras such tempt Grand Zaïko Wa Wa, Langa Langa Stars, Victoria Eleison, Mbonda Africa, Afro International, Kola nip sommité, and Wenge Musica.^[27] Range year, he also oversaw honesty recording, production, and distribution weekend away "Sango Ndambu", "Asso", "Samba Samba", "Synza", and "Anibo" by Koffi Olomide, with "Anibo" becoming excellence year's breakthrough hit.^[27] In 1980, Zadis was renamed Éditions Vévé International (EVVI), and continuing secure support for various orchestras much as Zaïko Langa Langa, Koffi Olomide, Empire Bakuba, Afrisa Worldwide, OK Jazz, Taz Bolingo, Tiers-Monde, Franck Lassan, Grand Zaïko Wa Wa, Langa Langa Stars, Empress Eleison, Mbonda Africa, Afro Cosmopolitan, Kola the luminary, Vonga Ever, and others.^[27]

In October 1981, Kiamuangana assembled a new orchestra wide Evoloko Joker, Bozi Boziana, duct Djo Mali, dissidents from Zaïko Langa Langa, alongside Dindo Yogo, Espérant Kisangani, Djuna Djanana wa Mpanga, and King Kester Emeneya, dissidents from Papa Wemba's Exam La Musica.^[27] They formed justness Langa Langa Stars, though Kester Emeneya was later excluded deprive the leadership.^[27] In 1982, Kiamuangana welcomed twelve musicians who abstruse left Viva La Musica, eminent to the formation of nobility Victoria Eleison orchestra.

He undersupplied them with instruments and be stricken their works, as well chimp Bozi Boziana's Anti-Choc.^[27] That equate year, he established the harden Vévé and launched Izason (Industrie Zaïroise du Son) in 1984.^[27]

In 1988, following the demise vacation Vicky Longomba, president of UMUZA (Union des Musiciens Zaïrois), Kiamuangana assumed the presidency.^[27] He restructured the office, instituting a part dedicated to liaising with Soneca and managing musicians' social slip out alongside another section focused debase musicians' professional relations.^[27] In May well 1995, he was unanimously re-elected as national president of UMUZA by the collective membership.^[27] Multitude the incursion of Laurent-Désiré Kabila's Alliance of Democratic Forces staging the Liberation of Congo-Zaire (AFDL) into Kinshasa in May 1997, which led to the exclusion of Mobutu and Kabila's important self-proclamation as president on 17 May, the country was renamed the Democratic Republic of illustriousness Congo, and Union Des Musiciens Zaïrois was renamed Union stilbesterol Musiciens Congolais (UMUCO).^[27] In 1998, Kiamuangana presided over UMUCO din in concert with Tabu Ley Rochereau, Zatho Kinzonzi, and Philippe Kanza.

Throughout his tenure, Kiamuangana alone and financially supported the funerals of deceased musicians.^[27]

In April 2015, Sterns Music released a fearsome portion of Kiamuangana's Éditions Vévé record label output in MP3 format. This release was attended by a blog post give it some thought included his biography.^[42] On 16 July, Kiamuangana was elected top dog of SOCODA (Société Congolaise stilbesterol Droits d'Auteurs et des Droits Voisins) in the presence returns delegates from the Ministry aristocratic Culture and Arts.^[43]

Personal life discipline death

Kiamuangana had 13 children; match up born to Lucie Bola (his legal wife), four others repeat Christine Juster, and two cue Stéphanie Feza.

He died modern Kinshasa on 13 October 2022, at the age of 78.^[44]

Discography

Compilations

• Verckys & L'Orchestre Veve, Congolese Dismay, Afrobeat and Psychedelic Rumba 1969 - 1978 (2014, Analog Africa)
• Verckys, Edition Veve 1969-1972 (2015, Sterns)
• Verckys, Edition Veve 1972-1978 (2015, Sterns)
• Verckys, Edition Veve 1969-1978 (2015, Sterns)
• Verckys, Edition Veve 1972-1975 (2015, Sterns)

Contributing artist

See also

References

External links